Our Woodlands team
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our clients.
Sarah Ives
Owner \ Manager \ DSL
Sarah has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 1994. Sarah has a Foundation Degree in Early Years from Canterbury Christ Church University. Sarah took ownership of Woodlands Nursery & Preschool in August 2010.
Stacey Leppenwell
Deputy Manager \ DSL
Stacey has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2006. She is qualified to BA Honours in Primary Education from Canterbury Christ Church University. Stacey is Deputy Manager for our setting.
Becky Dabbs
Under 2's Room Leader \ Senco
Becky has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 1992, she qualified from Canterbury College in 1991 with a Diploma in childcare and NNEB (Level 3 qualification). She become the Early Years Practitioner Lead for the under 2's and SENCO in 2014. Becky has vast amounts of experience and knowledge working with young babies and toddlers.
Ruth Reed
Over 2 Room Leader \ Senco
Ruth has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2011. She is qualified to a BA Honours First Class in Early Childhood Education and Care from Canterbury Christ Church University. Ruth is our Early Years Practitioner Lead within the Over 2's room. Ruth is also our SENCO lead she has a vast amount of knowledge and training in this area.
Joana Hix
Over 2 Room Leader
Joana has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2014. She is qualified to Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development. Joana will be starting her Foundation Degree in September 2025. Joana works as our Early Years Practitioner Lead within the Over 2's room.
Kevin Ives
Owner \ Office Manager
Kevin has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since April 2017. He is qualified to Level 5 Leadership and Management in Early Years. Kevin is the Office Manger and Owner.
Clare Robinson
Early Years Practitioner \ DSL Lead
Clare has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2013. She is qualified to Level 3 Diploma for Children's and Young Peoples Workforce, Clare has had training in Early Years Safeguarding for the Designated Lead Person, she undertakes this every two years. Clare works in our Over 2's room.
Emma Lewis
Early Years Practitioner specialising in SEN
Emma has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2000. She is qualified to Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development, Emma has also undergone SEN training including Makaton and has a vast amount of experience in delivering one to one care with children with additional needs. She has also introduced Lego Therapy to the setting that all children love.
Dawn Osborne
Early Years Practitioner
Dawn has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 1996. She is qualified to NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. Dawn works in our Over 2 Room, Dawn has completed Makaton training in 2024.
Donna Foster
Early Years Practitioner
Donna has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2005. She has her Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Donna works within our Under 2's room since 2015.
Denise Watson
Early Years Practitioner
Denise has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2000. She is qualified NVQ Level 3 Children's Care, Learning and Development. Denise works within the Over 2's room.
Kaitlin Jull
Early Years Practitioner
Kaitlin has been at Woodlands since April 2024, she is currently working towards a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development.
Nicki Mills
Early Years Practitioner
Nicki has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2013. She is qualified to Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development. Nicki works in the Under 2's Room.
Chantelle Coombs
Early Years Practitioner
Chantelle has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2016. She is qualified to NNEB Diploma in Childcare and Education. Chantelle works in our Over 2 room.
Paige Abbott
Early Years Practitioner
Paige has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since May 2022. She is qualified to Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development. Paige works in both our Under 2 Room and Over 2's Room.
Linda Wood
Early Years Practitioner
Linda has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 1986. She is qualified to Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People's Workforce. Linda works in our Over 2 Room.
Louise Yates
Early Years Practitioner
Louise has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2014. She is trained in Early Years Care and Education NVQ Level 3. Louise works in our Over 2 room.
Suzanne Ryan
Early Years Practitioner
Suzanne has been at Woodlands since February 2023, from 2025 she will be working towards a NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development.
Andrea Yates
Chef
Andrea has worked at Woodlands Nursery & Preschool since 2002. Andrea has a qualification in Children's Care Learning and Development NVQ Level 4. Previous to working at Woodlands she was a Chef in a family run restaurant in Bromley, so in 2018 Andrea had the opportunity to become the Woodlands Cook making balanced and nutritious meals for the children. Andrea has achieved 5 Rating from Swale Borough Council for the last six years she has worked in the Kitchen.
Violet Whiting
Apprentice Early Years Practitioner
Violet has been at Woodlands since June 2023, she is currently working towards a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development.
Lacey Johnson
Apprentice Early Years Practitioner
Lacey has been at Woodlands since August 2024, she is currently working towards a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development.